guard 1 of 2

noun

ˈgärd How to pronounce guard (audio)
Definition of guardnext
1
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something checked in with the security guard at the gate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in defensive
a position of readiness to oppose actual or expected attack be on your guard against snakes in the swamp

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lock
a protective device (as on a weapon) to prevent accidental operation slid the guard into place over the chainsaw chain

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in defense
means or method of defending the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guide
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy the honor guards raised their sabers as the happy couple descended the church steps

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6
as in defender
someone that protects a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity

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guard

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blockade
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word guard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of guard are defend, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

In what contexts can defend take the place of guard?

The words defend and guard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When can protect be used instead of guard?

While the synonyms protect and guard are close in meaning, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

Where would safeguard be a reasonable alternative to guard?

In some situations, the words safeguard and guard are roughly equivalent. However, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When is shield a more appropriate choice than guard?

The words shield and guard can be used in similar contexts, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

How is the word guard different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of guard are defend, protect, safeguard, and shield. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

In what contexts can defend take the place of guard?

The words defend and guard are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When can protect be used instead of guard?

While the synonyms protect and guard are close in meaning, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

Where would safeguard be a reasonable alternative to guard?

In some situations, the words safeguard and guard are roughly equivalent. However, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

When is shield a more appropriate choice than guard?

The words shield and guard can be used in similar contexts, but shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of guard
Noun
The Hornets star guard nearly recorded a triple-double, tossing in 30 points to go with 13 assists and six rebounds. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026 Heat guard Terry Rozier (not with team) was the only other Heat player unavailable on Tuesday. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Grams had gone to both Ellwood and junior Avery Vasquez and asked them about guarding Braketa. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026 The Roman soldiers guarding the fortlet enjoyed views of open pastures and cleared woodland consisting mainly of alder, hazel, and willow, with smaller amounts of oak and birch. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
  1. guardian
  2. defensive
  3. lock
  4. defense
  5. guide
  6. defender
  7. protect
  8. blockade
Noun
  • The roughly 93-square-mile base houses the 49th Wing, which supports national security work and includes combat-ready airmen and guardians, according to its website.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Parent voters must provide additional identification or documentation that establishes themselves as the parent, legal guardian or temporary custodian of a child enrolled in the school.
    — Hope Moses, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Instead of openly debating and learning from experts or one another, students often remain on the defensive.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
  • And this seems to be a time when many people are constantly on the defensive.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of defensive
Noun
  • Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, making skin look plumper and smoother, while adenosine (a molecule your body naturally produces) stimulates the production of elastin so the area appears firmer over time.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The Jays will start the year with four locks at the back of the bullpen, with Varland joining Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers and Brendon Little.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of lock
Noun
  • Anthony Mantha scored 15 seconds later, getting behind the Avs defense and putting one past Wedgewood before the MacKinnon goal announcement was complete.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The case included 13 days of testimony, during which her defense team did not call any witnesses.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of defense
Noun
  • This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • To celebrate, the NBC Select team put together a comprehensive guide to herb gardening.
    — Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of guide
Noun
  • The closest Rockets defender, Reed Sheppard, could do nothing as James hammered another dunk.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The 21-year-old defender has started in 23 of his 30 career appearances.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of defender
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Both are recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the 2012 executive action signed by former President Barack Obama that protects people brought to the United States as children from deportation.
    — Juan Carlos Chavez, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of protect
Verb
  • Conservatives tried and failed to convince Thune to pursue a talking filibuster, an old-school way of blockading legislation that might eventually allow the SAVE America Act to pass at 50 votes.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Tillis has vowed to blockade all Federal Reserve nominees until the criminal probe into Powell is dropped.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of blockade

Phrases Containing guard

Browse Nearby Words

guarantying
guard
guard (against)
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Cite this Entry

“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guard

Nglish: Translation of guard for Spanish Speakers

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